ChrisD46

Replies are running about 50 - 50 between straight FC line and Braid + FC Leader then a few "other" using mono , co-poly or nanofil for wacky rig worms / senkos . I will add I'm throwing wacky rigs in , open , clear water with rocky bottom (few weeds) . Since I have a a 2500 series spinning reel with #6 lb. straight FC line (drop shot) and the same 2500 series spinning reel with #10 lb. Braid + #7 lb. Sunline FC Sniper for a leader - I will swap these reels out on my Shimano wacky rig rod and seee how it goes ? Interesting - I thought there would be more of a decided preferance as to line type for wacky rig however it's not that clear cut !

I see a lot of pros on TV using the Vicious lines and many of them are touting the "new" versions ... Still , I'm suspect these guys are paid by Vicious to use their lines which currently makes me want to stay with Sufix , Seaguar , Sunline , Power Pro and the like ...

SCIII blanks are the key difference in the new MoJo rods - definately on my short list (after completing my 12 step bait monkey intervention program) .

For a dedicated wacky worm / stick bait set up - I'm torn between using straight Fluorocarbon line in #6 lb. to #8 lb. test OR #10 lb. Braid mainline with a Fluorocarbon leader in #6 lb. to #8 lb. test. What is your preference and experience between the two line type setups listed above in water say less than 12 ft. ? Which line type offers the most natural fall , presentation , etc. for a wacky rig worm / stick bait ? ...Thanks in advance for replies - I really want to get the most out of the set up and I know line type and size can make a big difference in a wacky rig presentation .

Ned has a saying (really a visual) that states something to the affect of "occasionally lightly kissing the bottom " or "lightly polishing rocks" ...Something to that affect . The visual this gives me from Ned is not maintaining bottom contact - but instead focusuing on that 4" to 6" water level ABOVE the bottom with the jig head only occasionally making contact with the bottom . **T9 or Bluebasser86 may remember this exact quote from Ned - it's a great visual to remember andd again is only ONE of the Ned retrieves - but an effective one ! My Ned Rig setup for Southern Spotted Bass : Gopher Mushroom Jig Head 1/16th oz. #4 hook , 6# lb. InvizX leader , #10 lb. Power Pro , 7' ML Fast action spinng rod , 2500 series Shimano spinning reel .

Yes , only see it at Dick's and otherwise fairly popular in Australia and New Zealand ... I use KVD line conditioner to help with the stiffness in the #14 lb and #17 lb. ratings . I'm using only on a baitcaster currently for top water , swimbaits and swim jigs . Would I go out of my way to buy again ? Not sure yet - For non - braid and non - FC applications I'm warming up to the idea of using co-poly lines as they offer a cost savings and the technology keeps getting better and better with co-poly lines.

Would dropping down to say a #40 lb. braid have any affect on casting a frog or do you stay with say a #65 lb. braid with no worries ?

Doubt it will happen again - however two years ago during the Spring Bass expo they had PQ's on sale (in store only) for $49 !! ...I only bought one that day and kick myself every time I hear the PQ name for not buying more !! I don't fish crank baits deep so no need for a 5:1 gear ratio but for everything else , having at least a couple of 7:1 and 6:3:1 PQ's is a solid investment !!

^^This^^ in clear water with few obstructions , OR try with #6 lb. to #8 lb. P-Line C-XX copoly line if water is less than crystal clear and you may encounter obstructions . Otherwise #8 lb. to #10 lb. FC leader + #10 lb. #15 lb braid mainline - join the two lines with an Alberto knot .

Thanks for the replies ! I'll try to work the redbug color in under the suggested conditions and see what bites I get . Funny though , red is the first color to drop out of the light spectrum under water , so hard to say what color a bass sees red bug as at 10 to 12 feet ? ...Probably light to medium grey with green sparkles .

Here's a twist : What is the WORST application for a Braid main line + FC / Mono leader where you believe you are much better staying with a straight FC or Mono main line ? ...We have all heard about the happy applications of those who have switched to a Braid main line + a FC or Mono leader , now I want to hear about those applications where you believe you do better with a FC or Mono main line ? Let's hear it ! ... Thanks in advance .

I usually throw Green Pumpkin and Watermelon soft plastic worms here in the South - a tackle store owner encouraged me to try Redbug color worms which I've never used before . What conditions might dictate when to throw a Redbug color worm vs. Green Pumkin or Watermelon ? ... Thanks in advance !

Bought a few packs of Zoom transparent glimmer blue soft plastics that looked great when new - now a few months later after being carefully packed away they are now "glimmer blue tan" in color ... What gives here ? It's as if the formulation changed causing the soft plastic color to turn tan ! They look ugly now - does nothing to instill confidence the way they look now ... I will also add I have been to a few different stores and seen the same end result with the Glimmer transparant colors turning to a tan transparent color . This is not isolated to Zoom by the way - I have seen the same thing happen with BPS Stick - O's and Big Bite Bait soft plastics as well.

The Mysterious Luck Tackle Box is a close reltive of the Bait Monkey !

Thanks Tom - at the other end of the scale that would make a #7 size about 1/16th oz. with the #5 somewhere aound 1/10th oz. or so rounding out that 1/8th oz. size down to 1/16th oz size for 12 ft. or less water depth .

The wife insists I have bought lures and soft plastics I don't even know I had thus she is determined to dig them out of the fishing equipment room , place them in a nice box a few lures at a time , gift wrap it and present me a new box each first day of the month . Thus the : "Mysterious Luck Tacklebox" is born - no new cost or shipping required ... Nothing like the process of "rediscovery" - I can't wait to see what June 1st brings !

For any soft plastic fluke , swim bait , etc. that are crooked simply heat up a pot of water on the stove to a high simmer and hold the tails vertical in the hot water for 20 seconds or so then lay flat and straight on a paper towell to dry - problem usually solved .

Question on weight sizes for split shot rig : I believe the range of weight sizes for a finesse split shot rig are going to be in that #3/0 to #4 size range with perhaps the #7 size and #5 size getting the lions share of use . * What are the split shot sizes you use most in say 12 ft. or less water depth for a split shot rig ?

^^This^^ - Bigger Baits + Larger Hooks + Heavier Weights = Heavier equipment and line . No reason why a 12" Bull Worm with a 3/8th oz. weight and a 2/0 octopus hook wouldn't work .

I talked to a Pro on the FLW Tour who said that while he likes a dipped color tail - he likes to use a lot less than found on typical colored tail worms in stores ... About 3/8th to 1/4 inch dipped in JJ's is what he uses - just enough to interest a bass but less than the 3/4th inch + dipped worms found in the stores .

Good replies - it seems to make sense . Also a short piece of #12 ~ #15 lb. mono leader keeps braid from fouling on front treble hooks and split rings . I would also think that it will not take as much rod movement on braid + mono leader to get a walking bait to walk good ! *I'm trying to reduce having reels with so many different types of main lines - it just seems stupid .

How many of you use braid + mono leader for poppers and walking baits with good success for top water ? ... I'm trying to cut down on having straight mono and FC line types by using braid as a mainline , then adding the proper leader type based on application (i.e. top water / mono) .

Skeet's crank bait rod is the only one I would consider - for other techniques there are better choice at or slightly above in price .

^This^^ !!! ... I've tried scissors , nail clippers , etc. and this Boomerang tool is THE best by far - works on all kinds of line but especially good for braid . Well worth the $12.00 I paid for it .

Good replies !